The Isaian November December Issue
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NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2018 CONTENTS Message from the Clergy 2-3 Annual Giving Appeal 4-5 VP of Community Affairs 8 Shabbat Schedule 15 Each lifetime is the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. For some there are more pieces. For others the puzzle is more difficult to assemble. Some seem to be born with a nearly completed puzzle. And so it goes. Souls going this way and that, Trying to assemble the myriad parts. But know this. No one has within themselves All the pieces to their puzzle. Like before the days when they used to seal Jigsaw puzzles in cellophane, insuring that All the pieces were there. Everyone carries with them at least one and probably Many pieces to someone else’s puzzle. Sometimes they know it. Sometimes they don’t. And when you present your piece Which is worthless to you, To another, whether you know it or not, Whether they know it or not, You are a messenger from the Most High. -- Rabbi Lawrence Kushner 2 | THE ISAIAN NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2018 In his book, “Honey From the Rock,” Rabbi Larry Kushner uses the imagery of puzzle pieces to illustrate our capacity to connect, to encourage, to strengthen and to support one another. “There must have been a time when you entered a room and met someone and after a while you understood that unknown to either of you there was a reason you had met. You had changed the other and he had changed you.” At Temple Isaiah, our commitment to you is that we create space for these precious moments of connection and transformation. Moments in the lobby when you begin to talk with another parent before or after drop off. Moments in the sanctuary when you turn to your neighbor and wish them a Shabbat Shalom, introducing yourself to someone new. Moments in the kitchen when you help to cook for a Family Shabbat. Moments in our library or clergy offices when you’ve volunteered to help a committee plan Purim, Family Camp (The WKND!), or design a direct service project for our members. All of these moments offer the possibility of deeper engagement in this community and deeper connection to your fellow Isaians. What may seem like a simple donation of time to help plan a Book Fair can become a pathway for lifelong friendships. What may appear as an inconsequential conversation about Shabbat or Kashrut practices becomes a pathway for deeper learning and reflection. On Yom Kippur, we tried to model the importance of engaging with one another by bringing your perspectives and insights about the Torah portion into the sermon experience. Just as the two of us spend significant time sharing and interpreting the needs and opportunities of our community, we hope you will engage with one another in an effort to engage wholeheartedly with other members of our community. This year, ask yourself: In what ways will I engage with this community? In what ways might I reach out and connect with someone or something new? What puzzle piece am I holding on to that belongs to someone else? What might someone else be holding on to for me? This year, let us bring our pieces together to create a beautiful picture of community and connection. - Rabbis Dara Frimmer and Joel Nickerson 3 | THE ISAIAN NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2018 so why should we give? I am not here to ask you to give until it hurts or to forgive you if you give less than you can. I am here to ask you to give #BEINGISAIAN a meaningful gift that will help this place continue to support the civic engagement and social justice education we are known for, a gift that will help us improve our facilities – a gift that will help someone else have the opportunity of attending any one of the schools we support here from preschool to religious school to adult learning. Apparently last year, I gave just enough to make it into the Book of Life. Trust me this year, I plan on doubling down for protection. On November 28th of last year, I entered a crosswalk with a cup of coffee and a work colleague – it was a regular Tuesday routine. Survive two conference calls, reward yourself with Starbucks and a walk. Except this Tuesday, I entered the crosswalk on foot and left in an ambulance after being hit by an SUV. There are many stories I can tell you from this day and the days that were to follow. But I want to focus on the positive and how Isaiah truly changed my life that day. That day, as I lay in the intersection, I did not know what was going to happen or if I was going to live. I knew I was hurt, I did not know how badly – all I could think of was my family. My Kristen Lonner, VP Development husband was in El Segundo at a meeting – my kids were in school, was I going to be okay? What does it mean to be a member of Isaiah? It In what felt like my darkest hour, God sent so many people to take care of me. From the nurse who happened to be two cars back that found a means standing up for what you believe in and towel in her car to wrap my bleeding head, from the ambulance drivers showing up for others when they need you most. It named Jon and Dennis – the name of my husband and father, to the means living courageously and creatively. It means parade of Isaians – yes – the parade of Isaians. Isaiah’s response was so overwhelming that I can never have enough opportunities to say thank giving as the most fulfilling way to receive. you. When I arrived at Cedars that day I was terrified. There were so many doctors, so much going on that I didn’t understand, and I didn’t In November, Kristen Lonner was hit by an SUV have my Jon there with me, my best friend, my husband. But amongst while crossing the street. The horrific accident, the chaos, came a woman in a white coat – not a doctor, not a nurse – a which nearly claimed her life, created numerous volunteer. And not just any volunteer, my friend and fellow Isaian, Jamie Sabet. It just happened to be her day to volunteer at Cedars. Because challenges for her and her family. On Yom Kippur, that is what Isaians do. We give. She held my hand. She washed blood Kristen shared her story and how Temple Isaiah off my face. She cared for me. Jamie is one of the people who convinced me to come to Isaiah. Jamie, I cannot thank you enough. was there to lift up her family in their time of need. Soon Jon joined me – many tests, scans, flashing lights – so much was Below is the text of her speech and you can also going on. Forget me at this point – I cannot imagine being him. Who listen to it on our website at www.templeisaiah. was going to help him get through this? His family, of course, Renee and com/annual-campaign. Steve my in-laws were there in countless ways – and then Isaiah. Jon’s mom held our house together and stayed with our kids while waiting to Kristen’s is just one story of how members of Temple hear how I was doing. Eric Shabsis, another member who convinced me to join this congregation, did what any good Jew would do – he arrived Isaiah exemplify what it means to be a member of quickly with deli food and a warm smile. And that night my hospital room this community. We invite you to share your stories of was so full there were not enough chairs. Rabbi Joel, Pej Sabet, Tracy how you or others exemplify #BeingIsaian by tagging Shabsis, Caolionn O’Connell, Sharon Eshaghoff – I know I am forgetting someone at this point and I might be even adding someone who wasn’t your stories on Social Media using #BeingIsaian there – it doesn’t matter because what was happening was Isaiah was or sharing them via email with Seth Rosenzweig, SHOWING UP. My biggest memory of that night through all the pain was our laughter. We laughed so hard it hurt my broken bones. I felt Director of Philanthropy at [email protected]. so loved and safe and I knew my family would be taken care of. I was proven right just a bit later when Jon had to choose between staying with me in the hospital or going home to our children who were struggling to Good morning. Thank you so much for letting me stand here understand what happened – Sharon Eshaghoff simply told us she would today. Honestly, let me thank God for the ability to stand here be sleeping there and he was to go home and rest. She left her family today, but we’ll get to that in a moment. I am here to do a job that night to be there for mine. Sharon, I met on my first day of preschool that makes many Isaians uncomfortable, and I am not going to and have loved ever since. be apologetic or bashful about it – I am here to ask for your financial support for this community. So, go ahead, while I am talking reach into your wallets, dig in your purses, if you’re like me you will come up with a Hot Wheel and something gross on your hand, pull out your checkbooks, open up your camera and My room was so full of people that scan the QR code, get some cash – I don’t care how you choose in a moment of quiet a nurse came “ to do it – let’s do this together – we’re going to give today.